Lot Archive

Lot

№ 404

.

2 July 2003

Hammer Price:
£800

Emin Relief Expedition Star 1887-89, silver (Hallmarks for Birmingham 1889-90), two arm points slightly bruised, otherwise extremely fine and rare £300-400

Ex Christie’s, 25 March 1986 (Lot 15), part of the collection of Sir Henry Morton Stanley, which was sold by his grandson, Richard M. Stanley (accompanying letter of provenance refers).

Approximately 200 of these awards were ordered from Carrington & Co. and at least 175 of them were forwarded to intended recipients. Just nine of them were issued named, all of them to Chiefs.

See Magor for a brief account of this costly expedition, and other interesting notes: ‘Poor Emin Pasha came to an untimely end back in Africa. He was approached by his assassins, who enquired if he could speak Arabic. On receiving an affirmative reply they handed him their warrant instructing them to cut his throat, which they duly did.’